The Patriots, on their mission for a fourth straight district crown, found a way to grind out a 70-51 over the Greater Thumb East champion Pirates.

The first half was highly competitive, with Harbor Beach within striking distance, at 26-23, with 3:36 to play, following a made free throw from Mason Jahn.

However, the turning point came on a no-call, when USA's Nash Morton was ran over while trying to setup a screen.

Morton had to leave the game. The play served to rally the Patriots, who ended the half on a 8-0 run, to lead 34-23.

USA stayed hot to begin the third, coming out on a 13-2 run, to build their largest lead of the game at 47-25.

"I felt on a possession or two before, they were running through our screens, and they weren't calling it," said USA coach Mark Gainforth. "To me, that was a flagrant one that wasn't called.

"In that situation, you either fold, or you respond. Our guys responded, and that's a testament to their competitiveness."

Harbor Beach got within 64-49 in the fourth, but couldn't overcome the deficit.

"You have to be able to weather that, and we didn't," said Harbor Beach coach Ron Wruble of USA's run. "Their shooters got away from us and hit a couple of shots and we went stagnant offensively. They did an awesome job defensively."

Added Wruble: "Being down late in the game against them is tough, because they have four guys that can handle and shoot the ball."

THE STARS: USA put three players in double figures, led by Micah Cramer, who turned in an efficient 18 points.

Sharp-shooting junior guard Landin Zimmer connected on five 3-pointers, for all 15 of his points.

Four of Zimmer's 3s came in the first half.

"Landin, the second half of the season, he's really come into his own," Gainforth. "He's open because our other guys can get in the lane."

Jahn was held to 13 points, while dealing with the consistent pressure applied by Morton.

Morton also added 11 points offensively, including a pair of timely triples.

"Jahn's a tough guard, he's a volume shooter and we tried to limit his shots," Gainforth said. "He was never in a comfort zone all night, and I think that's what Nash does, he takes you out of your comfort zone.

"He earned every point he got."

Jahn's younger brother Parker turned in a game-high 21 points, with 13 coming in the first half.

NEW YEAR, NEW PIRATES: Most of Harbor Beach's roster is comprised of football players.

In the fall, the Pirates advanced to the state semifinals, which were played on Nov. 16.

This season, the Michigan High School Athletic Association switched the start of the boys season, meaning it would play one week earlier than usual.

Harbor Beach's first basketball game was played on Dec. 5.

With very limited practice time, the team suffered through a brutal 2-4 month of December.

"The MHSAA has to take a look at that, we had a tremendous disadvantage at the start of the season, and we didn't even make it to the state finals," Wruble said."If we would have done that, we would have missed four weeks of practice."

However, the New Year brought better fortunes, as the Pirates went 10-4 the rest of the way, to capture the outright GTE champion, their fifth in eight years.

FAREWELL: Harbor Beach loses just two seniors, but two starters, in Devin Finkel and Mason Jahn.

"(Mason's) probably one of the offensive players I've ever coached and Devin is probably one of the best defensive players I've ever coached," Wruble said."We're going to miss them tremendously. Those guys are going to be tough to replace."

LOOKING AHEAD: Despite the loss of the two seniors, Wruble was very optimistic about the next season.

"We have a good young core coming back, starting four juniors most of the year," he said. "We should have a competitive group next year, for sure."

UP NEXT: USA (19-0) advances to play for its fourth straight district championship, where it will face Bad Axe (16-5) at 7 p.m., Friday, in Cass City.

The Hatchets defeated Cass City 65-53, in Wednesday's late semifinal.

During the regular season, the teams met twice, with the Patriots earning a pair of wins (47-36, 55-37).

"They bring multiple scorers, they're athletic and they play hard," Gainforth said of the Hatchets. "There's a reason they were 13-5, they had a great season."